HB 1589: Malpractice Regarding Gender Therapeutics

This bill alters current malpractice law, specifically targeting medical care that transgender people receive by increasing the penalty from two years to fifteen years. There is no evidence that this care results in a larger number of poor outcomes than other forms of medical care. According the American Medical Association -- rates of regret among people who access gender affirming treatment are significantly lower than other comparable forms of medical care. The AMA also stresses that access to evidence-based care is vital for trans people who require it. This bill attempts to create a chilling effect on providers by exposing doctors and hospitals to heightened legal risk for providing medical treatment that is overwhelmingly supported by science.